More than half of all Iraq veterans seeking help for post-conflict mental illness are from the Territorial Army, a military charity said today.

They make up a large proportion of those needing support despite the fact they represent only 10pc of those deployed to the Middle East said Combat Stress, the ex-services mental welfare society.

Premier bet

MANCHESTER United are applying to the Government for a licence to build a casino on land close to Old Trafford. United are putting forward a forceful case, citing a massive regeneration of Salford Quays as the worthiness of their argument.

Prisoner dies

AN INMATE collapsed and died while exercising in a prison gym, it was announced today. Robert Palmer, 32, who was serving 12 months for intent to supply Class B drugs, collapsed at Guys Marsh jail near Shaftesbury, Dorset, yesterday a Prison Service spokesman said.

America's friend

US PRESIDENT George Bush, greeted with a huge outpouring of affection in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, expressed strong support for the fledgling democracy today and said: "You've got a solid friend in America."

Smoky home

SMOKERS at a toolmakers thought they were hearing things when bird song started filtering through an outside ashtray. But investigations revealed a thrush and five eggs nestling happily among the fag ends. The box is now off limits until the bird flies the nest.

Jurassic survivor

A JURASSIC tree dating from the dinosaur age and thought to have been extinct for two million years was today unveiled by Sir David Attenborough. The tree was found by a National Parks officer as he backpacked in Australia. The Wollemi Pine went on display at Kew Gardens in London.

Saved by dishes

A WOMAN who suffered an electric shock when her house was hit by lightning is unlikely to suffer any long-term effects, according to doctors. Lightning hit 64-year-old Angela Edwards' house in King's Lynn, Norfolk, on Saturday just after she had finished washing up. She said doctors told her it could have been a lot worse if she had not been wearing rubber washing-up gloves and rubber-soled shoes.

Exercise for life

VIGOROUS exercise could slow the progression of prostate cancer in older men and help keep them alive. Scientists in the United States looked for links between physical activity and prostate cancer and found a much lower risk in men aged 65 and older who engaged in the most vigorous physical activity.